Could 1996 really be 16 years ago?
It’s hard to imagine that being the case, but that year has been on my mind in recent days. On a March night of that year a small visitor arrived into our lives and decided to stay a while.
Our dog, Katie, showed up that night, seeking food, shelter and warmth. We didn’t know at first if she was simply lost, but when we learned she would soon give us more little ones to worry about, the conclusion was someone probably left her.
[Full Story »]
Entries from June 2012
State issues public health warning for North Georgia
Friday, June 29. 2012
In addition to the scorching heat, North Georgia is experiencing poor air quality, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
The state agency issued a warning Friday afternoon, noting that the conditions are particularly hazardous to the elderly and to children.
"We're sounding the alarm now and we're sounding it loudly," said Public Health Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, who is a physician. [Full Story »]
The state agency issued a warning Friday afternoon, noting that the conditions are particularly hazardous to the elderly and to children.
"We're sounding the alarm now and we're sounding it loudly," said Public Health Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, who is a physician. [Full Story »]
Jackson Ambrose (6-28-12)
WINDER – Jackson Ambrose, 75, died Thursday, June 28, 2012. He was the son of the late Ambrose and Lorene Segars Jackson. He was a 1955 graduate of Winder High School and a 1959 graduate of the University of Georgia He was employed by Carwood Manufacturing and Duck Head from 1962 to 2004. He then worked for the City of Winder from 2004 to ...
[Full Story »]
Braselton mayor calls for big budget cut
Friday, June 29. 2012
The Braselton Town Council approved a general fund budget last week that cuts a few perks — after Mayor Bill Orr called for elected officials to slash 10 percent from the proposal.
Braselton’s general fund budget for the 2013 fiscal year — which starts on July 1 — stands at $3.1 million, compared to $2.9 million for the current fiscal year.
As proposed, the budget called for a 10 percent increase in revenue at $3.2 million and a three percent rise in expenses at $2.6 million.
[Full Story »]
Braselton’s general fund budget for the 2013 fiscal year — which starts on July 1 — stands at $3.1 million, compared to $2.9 million for the current fiscal year.
As proposed, the budget called for a 10 percent increase in revenue at $3.2 million and a three percent rise in expenses at $2.6 million.
[Full Story »]
Dangerous heat wave under way
Friday, June 29. 2012
Barrow County, like the rest of north and central Georgia, is in the throes of a heat wave with high temperatures expected to break the 100-degree mark for several days.
The National Weather Service before dawn Friday issued a special weather statement to alert residents that temperatures could reach 105 degrees today, which due to dry air in the region could pose a “fire danger” this afternoon and evening.
“Maximum temperatures this afternoon will climb into the low to mid 100s across north and central Georgia,” the advisory notes. “The heat indices will increase to 105 to 110 for Saturday and Sunday.” [Full Story »]
The National Weather Service before dawn Friday issued a special weather statement to alert residents that temperatures could reach 105 degrees today, which due to dry air in the region could pose a “fire danger” this afternoon and evening.
“Maximum temperatures this afternoon will climb into the low to mid 100s across north and central Georgia,” the advisory notes. “The heat indices will increase to 105 to 110 for Saturday and Sunday.” [Full Story »]
What’s wrong with the newspaper industry?
Friday, June 29. 2012
The newspaper industry isn’t dead, but over the last four years it has faced more problems than it did in the previous 40 years. The result has been some massive changes in the way many newspapers do business.
[Full Story »]
Stolen bulldozer found in Indiana
Thursday, June 28. 2012
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that it has been notified that the $78,000 bulldozer stolen six months ago from a county work site has been found in Indiana.
The 2007 John Deere Bulldozer, rented by the county's road department from a Bogart company, was stolen near the intersection of Highway 81 and Hoyt King Road on Dec. 12, 2011. [Full Story »]
The 2007 John Deere Bulldozer, rented by the county's road department from a Bogart company, was stolen near the intersection of Highway 81 and Hoyt King Road on Dec. 12, 2011. [Full Story »]
Reba Rooks (6-26-12)
WINDER - Reba Loggins Deaton Rooks, 94, formerly of Hoschton, died Tuesday, June 26, 2012. A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late E. G. Loggins, Sr. and Janie Reynolds Loggins. She was preceded in death by husbands, Hoke Deaton, Sr. and Sam Rooks; and siblings, Willie Saye Loggins, Owen Loggins, Gilbert Loggins, Ruth ...
[Full Story »]
Knights burn up diamond this summer
How much did the Bethlehem Christian Academy baseball team impress its coach this summer? Consider the fact that Knights coach Nick Pou recently said he wished his team was just now entering the playoffs. “That’s the kind of baseball we have been playing,” the coach said. “We want to keep what we have been doing this summer into next ...
[Full Story »]
In the June 27th issue of the Barrow Journal...
Yearwood flip-flop on T-SPLOST catches some by surprise
For more than a year as the chairman of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners, Danny Yearwood has publicly stressed the vital importance of passing the upcoming T-SPLOST referendum. But last week, as the challenger to Sen. Frank Ginn for the District 47 seat in the Georgia Senate, Yearwood dramatically changed his position and publicly renounced the proposed penny sales tax for transportation that will go before voters on July 31. His 180-degree flip-flop took everyone by surprise. Particularly infuriating some folks is his insistence that he never really supported the proposed tax, when he clearly has been its biggest local cheerleader. Tommy Jennings, president of the chamber, said his organization is disappointed by Yearwood’s change in position. The chamber has endorsed the tax measure because of the impact of transportation infrastructure on economic development. “We are disappointed that Chairman Yearwood has made the decision not to support the T-SPLOST, specifically after he was one of the major proponents of the projects that would benefit Barrow County. We continue to believe that safer roads, a bypass around Winder, and the opportunity for economic development will benefit all of Barrow County as we go forward.”
New band director, custodial outsourcing among numerous BOE personnel moves
Winder-Barrow High School has a new band director someone students might be familiar with already. Brett Johnson, formerly the band director at Winder-Barrow Middle School, will takeover the high school’s band, a decision the board of education made after its Tuesday meeting. Among the major changes, more than 70 custodial jobs were eliminated as part of the board’s earlier decision to outsource all custodial work.
BOC approves budget amendments
The cost of gas is dropping, but the decline wasn’t fast enough to salvage this year’s budgets for Barrow County’s emergency services departments. As a result, the Barrow County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to amend its budget to cover the additional costs. Sheriff Jud Smith told the BOC that his department last fall was budgeted $300,000 for fuel in FY2013, but he had to use $40,000 of that instead on maintaining his department’s aging fleet of vehicles. BCES chief Dennis Merrifield told a similar story Tuesday night. He said his department’s available funding for both fuel and fleet maintenance are exhausted. in a pair of 5-1 votes the BOC approved a total of $194,012 in budget amendments to cover the two department’s fuel and fleet maintenance costs for the next three months — $118,000 for the sheriff’s office and $76,012 for emergency services.
Expansion good for airport, says Guard
The Barrow County Airport Authority heard good news at its June 19 meeting from representatives of the Barrow-based Army National Guard unit. Sgt. 1st Class Tim Loveless told the authority the Guard plans to double or triple its presence at the Barrow airport over the next 10-15 years. "The Guard is looking at expanding this facility greatly," Loveless said, which, he added, will have an obvious positive economic impact on the airport and Barrow County. Loveless said the Guard is "going to a regional armory model," and "spots like Winder," with easy highway access, population concentration and an existing airport allowing for unit expansion are ideal locations.
Tractor Supply to close Braselton facility
Tractor Supply — the largest farm and ranch store chain in the U.S. — plans to close its Braselton distribution center, resulting in the loss of 170 area jobs. The Tennessee-based company announced Monday that it has outgrown its leased facility on Ga. Hwy. 124 in Barrow County and plans to relocate its operations to Macon.
[Full Story »]
For more than a year as the chairman of the Barrow County Board of Commissioners, Danny Yearwood has publicly stressed the vital importance of passing the upcoming T-SPLOST referendum. But last week, as the challenger to Sen. Frank Ginn for the District 47 seat in the Georgia Senate, Yearwood dramatically changed his position and publicly renounced the proposed penny sales tax for transportation that will go before voters on July 31. His 180-degree flip-flop took everyone by surprise. Particularly infuriating some folks is his insistence that he never really supported the proposed tax, when he clearly has been its biggest local cheerleader. Tommy Jennings, president of the chamber, said his organization is disappointed by Yearwood’s change in position. The chamber has endorsed the tax measure because of the impact of transportation infrastructure on economic development. “We are disappointed that Chairman Yearwood has made the decision not to support the T-SPLOST, specifically after he was one of the major proponents of the projects that would benefit Barrow County. We continue to believe that safer roads, a bypass around Winder, and the opportunity for economic development will benefit all of Barrow County as we go forward.”
New band director, custodial outsourcing among numerous BOE personnel moves
Winder-Barrow High School has a new band director someone students might be familiar with already. Brett Johnson, formerly the band director at Winder-Barrow Middle School, will takeover the high school’s band, a decision the board of education made after its Tuesday meeting. Among the major changes, more than 70 custodial jobs were eliminated as part of the board’s earlier decision to outsource all custodial work.
BOC approves budget amendments
The cost of gas is dropping, but the decline wasn’t fast enough to salvage this year’s budgets for Barrow County’s emergency services departments. As a result, the Barrow County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to amend its budget to cover the additional costs. Sheriff Jud Smith told the BOC that his department last fall was budgeted $300,000 for fuel in FY2013, but he had to use $40,000 of that instead on maintaining his department’s aging fleet of vehicles. BCES chief Dennis Merrifield told a similar story Tuesday night. He said his department’s available funding for both fuel and fleet maintenance are exhausted. in a pair of 5-1 votes the BOC approved a total of $194,012 in budget amendments to cover the two department’s fuel and fleet maintenance costs for the next three months — $118,000 for the sheriff’s office and $76,012 for emergency services.
Expansion good for airport, says Guard
The Barrow County Airport Authority heard good news at its June 19 meeting from representatives of the Barrow-based Army National Guard unit. Sgt. 1st Class Tim Loveless told the authority the Guard plans to double or triple its presence at the Barrow airport over the next 10-15 years. "The Guard is looking at expanding this facility greatly," Loveless said, which, he added, will have an obvious positive economic impact on the airport and Barrow County. Loveless said the Guard is "going to a regional armory model," and "spots like Winder," with easy highway access, population concentration and an existing airport allowing for unit expansion are ideal locations.
Tractor Supply to close Braselton facility
Tractor Supply — the largest farm and ranch store chain in the U.S. — plans to close its Braselton distribution center, resulting in the loss of 170 area jobs. The Tennessee-based company announced Monday that it has outgrown its leased facility on Ga. Hwy. 124 in Barrow County and plans to relocate its operations to Macon.
[Full Story »]
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